Book reviews

plete treatment of combinational design. By "complete" is meant the use of the This book is suitable for use by upper-Finally, a textbook that addresses the standard methods (Karnaugh maps and level undergraduates. Graduate students challenge of logic design with today's tabular form) as well as minimization studying a book like ComputerArchitec-technology. With careful consideration techniques for PLAs and discussion of ture and Parallel Processing by Hwang given to testability of digital circuits, it is hazard free design. In this chapter the and Briggs might find this book useful as a practical treatment of the subject. I testing aspects of the circuits are also a backup text. While the Hwang and used a prepublication edition to teach fully treated. Briggs book is dense, Computer Archi-graduate and undergraduate courses in The third part of the book deals with tecture iS written in an informal style so logic design at Stanford University, the sequential circuits. First the fundamental as to be readily understandable, even to University of San Francisco, and San difference between latches and flip-flops someone not in the field. An example of Jose State University (SJSU), and I is clarified. This is followed by the its informality is the presentation of tri-found it by far superior to all texts analysis of sequential circuits: finite state state logic: available on the same subject. machines and single-and multi-pulsed Sometimes we like for other peo-The book consists of 11 chapters, networks. Chapter 9 treats the design ple to state their desires clearly and divided in four main parts: A review of aspect of these circuits. Careful attention forcefully: "Yes! I want to go basic Boolean algebra and integrated cir-is given to essential hazards and downtown," or "No! I want to cuits, "combinational logic design," approaches to reduce them. stay home." But at other times a "sequential logic design," and "design Part four is an excellent denouement little diplomacy is called for: structures." Each chapter includes for all the concepts that were discussed "What would you rather do?" So several easy to teach and learn features: in previous chapters. A concise, self-too with circuits we sometimes de-step-by-step evolution of the topics, self-contained treatment of the testability of sire a third or passive state. contained subsections, illustrative ex-digital circuits is given in Chapter 10. It This informality might be attractive to amples, and clear figures. Also, at the is one of the several strong features …

How infinitely more consoling to the mind of man must such a doctrine be, than that which would establish a pretended assimilation be. tween matter at rest and ever-varying matter! " One of the most remarkable circumstances belonging to life in its active state, is, that there is a perpetual change of the materials of which animate beings are composed. The old particles separate themselves in the form of the urine, the perspiration, and the various other excretions; and, to supply this waste, there is a constant influx of new particles from without. Dead inorganic matter becomes endowed with life, and forms a part of the substance of the living body, from which, after a certain period, becoming again detached, it returns to be blended once more with the external world, and to obey those laws to which it was originally subjected." Art This little volume comes before the public with some claims to attention. It exposes many of the tricks of knavish quacks, as well as the errors of deluded and self-deceived practitioners ; and contains the description of a novel method for treating one of the most formidable diseases to which mankind is subject. This method consists in the in.
ternal exhibition of a decoction, or infusion, of the fucus helminthocorton, or Corsican moss, once so celebrated as a vermifuge; and the form of the disease in which the medicine is stated to be of the greatest service, is that which has been termed occult cancer.
The facts adduced by the author in support of his practice, are few; but be is emboldened to say, that all the good effects which he has experienced in the dispersion of cancerous tumor will speedily be verified and confirmed by the experience and practice of others.
The author has indulged in some theoretic views, to account for the action of this medicine, and for the origin of the disease; but, for these he craves the indulgence of his readers.
Mr. Farr first gives a history of the method of cure ; next, an account of the usual methods of treating cancer, with some severe animadversions on many of them. He (hen proceeds to enumerate the symptoms of cancer, remarking on some of them as he advances. His own method of treatment is then proposed, and detailed at full length. A few words occur on local treatment, which, in Mr. Farr's practice, consists chiefly of local warmth ; and the conclusion follows.
Our own conclusion does not follow; because we are anxious to see, first, the reportof other practitioners on (he efficacy of this new remedy.
Mr. Farr is, of course, aware,?at least we imagine so,?that the fucus helminthocorton, being a marine plant, of the genus of those which furnish iodine, his proposition of administering it in occult cancers and glandular swellings, must be considered as a mere repetition of Dr. Coindet's proposal of using iodine in substance or in combination, both internally and externally, in the same class of diseases for which Mr. Farr recommends the Corsican inoss. The ques-tion of administering iodine in glandular swelling engages, at this moment, the attention of the profession, both in this country and! abroad; and we confess we were much surprised not to iind the small* est notice taken of it in Mr. Farr's volume. We are quite puzzled as to the real character of this comely octodecimo. Does Dr. Gibney write for patients, or for his patients? To account for his coming forward with another volume on the subject of the Cheltenham waters, upon which so much has been lately published, the author asserts, that the greater number of those publications were written in a spirit of controversy; or are, by far, too extensive, and not adapted for books of reference. Under these impressions, he has undertaken the present work ; and he trusts that it will prove practically useful. This little volume is merely meant as a book of reference, and as an admonitory medical assistant to the patient; nothing being discussed which is not of practical importance. Dr. Gibney says, that, " a portable work of the kind has been for a long time a desideratum, and it is to be hoped the present essay may answer this intention." The Introduction is purely geographical, statistical, and meteorological. The first part contains the " general character of mineral watersthe second part treats of the " general effects of the Cheltenham waters." In the third part, we have a few words on the diseases in which the Cheltenham waters are useful; and these are? Bechet, jeune. Paris, 1821. The name, melanoses, was given, by Messrs. Bayle and Laennec, to certain small tumors, or collections of a dark yellow, bistre, or black matter, found within, or on the surface, of some. animal tissues, which Professor Dupuytren was the first to notice. Dr. Breschet, who, in the course of his very numerous anatomical investigations, has had many opportunities of studying these morbid substances, conceives that they are the produce of secretion, ralher than the result of decomposition, or disorganization of the tissue in which they are situated. He has found the black matter in question deposited in almost every organ of the animal economy ; and has particularly observed it in the horse, as well as in other of the minor domestic animals.
The melanic tumors, of which Dr. Breschet has here undertaken to give a complete history, present themselves under various forms; all of which the author describes at full length, giving an account of their form and colour, as well as of their seat and texture. This affords him an opportunity for entering into several highly interesting and equally important anatomical details, many of which will be found perfectly new. It seems an indisputable fact, that these tumors are not organized. The author has seen some of them, through which there were nerves passing; but he could not perceive the smallest trace of any nervous filament being given out by the principal branch to the substance of the tumor.
The parenchyma of some of the viscera is very frequently found engorged with the melanic matter; particularly that of the lungs, liver, pancreas, and kidney. Laennec has mentioned several examples of melanosis of the lungs; so have Bayle, Esquirol, and Chomel, as well as Dr. Breschet himself, who has, also, had occasion to observe them in the mammary glands.
The author asks, " From what species of derangement of the animal economy can such melanic depositions arise? What are the changes that take place in the tissue in which the melanic matter is secreted ? and by what distinguishing marks, general or local, can its existence be known during life ?" He, at the same time, admits, that pathology and pathological anatomy have, as yet, supplied us with too scanty information to unveil these mysteries.
Patients, in whom the melanic tumors have been found after death, exhibited no particular symptoms of disease, indicative of that phenomenon, during life.
The chemical analysis of the black matter of melanic tumors conr firms the idea of Dr. Breschet, that it is the produce of morbid secretion, and nothing else than decomposed blood. These tumors seem to be composed of coloured fibrine; of a black colouring matter soluble in diluted sulphuric acid and a solution of subcarbonate of soda, both of which are tinged red by its presence; of a small quantity of albumine; of chloruret of sodium, phosphate of lime, and oxide of iron.
It will easily be perceived, that this analysis assimilates the melanic .tumors to coagulated blood. This is a highly-interesting subject, to which Dr. Breschet is very anxious to draw the attention of the anatomists in this country. Although it be one of the principal intentions of the Editors of this Journal to give an account of books on elementary or practical medicine, in preference to those of any other collateral science; it is by no means their wish to exclude from their pages the notice of any wellwritten or interesting work on the latter subject. It is, therefore, with pleasure that we announce the publication of a work, by the indefatigable Dr. Virey, which, whether we consider the matter qr the composition, will be admitted, on all hands, to be both curious and interesting.
The first volume treats of the habits and manners of vertebrated animals,?namely, the mammiferous, birds, reptiles, and fishes. In the second, Dr. Virey describes the various and surprising instincts of the molluscae, worms, crustacea, and insects; and, lastly, of zoophytes, including polypi, corals, and animalculi infusorii.
Dr. Virey contends that vertebrated animals possess, independently of instinct, different degrees of acquired intelligence ; while the invertebrated animals are reduced to mere innate instinct, variously modified or developed, according to the family to which they belong. After each class of animals, the author presents the methodical and natural arrangement of the genera, agreeably to the most modern and exact notions in zoology. These volumes contain an animated picture of the numerous living beings scattered over the snrfacc of the globe, each acting from the impulse of particular instincts, and whose attributes and habitations are accurately and pleasingly described.
The work may, in fact, be considered as a system of natural history of animals, drawn up in a manner calculated to edify as well as to instruct; and seems particularly intended to afford subjects for Tery interesting meditations.
Art. VI.?Influenza Europaea, oder Diegrosserte krankeit Epidemie der neuern Zeit; or, General History of the most remarkable Epidemic influenzas of modern Times. By G. F. Most, m.d. 1 vol. 8vo. pp. xlviii. 254.* Hamburgh. The author first treats of the nature of influenza, and next enters into a consideration of its pathology, diagnosis, and mode of treatment. The second section contains a general history of epidemic influenzas, which he divides into three classcs: the first embracing those influenzas which have prevailed, generally, throughout Europe, or in the greater part of it; the second, those which seem limited to particular couri. tries; and the third, those which have been considered as epidemic influenzas, without sufficient reason. Clinical Report of the Institution at Halle.

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The third section unfolds the occasional causes of influenza. The author observes, that it is an essential character of the disease to make its appearance in the north or north-east, and from thence to take a southerly direction. He endeavours to support his assertion by the citation of examples, where a cold easterly wind has produced severe catarrhs and catarrhal coughs; and, also, by a reference to experiments tending to show that those same diseases may be produced by the inspiration of an artificial gas.
The second part of this work contains a detail of the author's reasons for apprehending a fresh inroad of the Influenza Europaea; and lays down prophylactic rules for checking or impeding the progress of the epidemy which is to take place in the course of the current year, according to his observations. From these it appears, that the malady in question has shown itself every twenty years,?namely, in the years 1742, 1762, 1782, and 1802; although, at the commencement of the last century, the intervals were of a somewhat shorter duration. The author alludes to every recent meteorological phenomenon which comes in support of his prediction. A man, forty-four years of age, of a weak constitution, had been afflicted, for upwards of eight years, with a considerable swelling of the scrotum, which reached as low down as the knees. This tumor was, in the first instance, mistaken for a sarcocele; and, subsequently, for tion of the blood, and to ascertain the particular state of the atmosphere most favourable to it. 2. To determine in what respects coagulated blood differs from that which is fluid. 3. To resolve the apparent contradictions existing in the results of Hewson, Hey, and Davy. 4. To explain the cause of coagulation, and the properties of the coagulum. , r , The phenomenon of coagulation is accurately and minutely described ; and a curious microscopic description of the coagulum is given. The experiments of Hewson and Parmentier are alluded to; and five new ones, by the author, made to> ascertain the influence of air on the phenomenon in question, are detailed at full length. The author states that, during coagulation, no heat is evolved; and that the blood, during that process, does not diminish in volume. Hanover^ 1819. Until the appearance of the present volume, there was no accredited collection of formulae in the kingdom of Hanover; and the druggists, or apothecaries, prepared their medicines according to the Pharmaco. poeiee which best suited their fancy or their convenience. The Prussian Pharmacopoeia was the most in use. This great inconvenience has been, lately, remedied by the publication of the work before us. .It is evident that the Berlin Pharmacopoeia has served as a basis to the present one; but many additions and changes have been made to the former,and a great number of the preparations it contained have been Omitted.
Some of the processes, also, have been altered, and, we think, for the better. * The new nomenclature has been adopted; but a copious'reference to the old denominations must render the change less inconvenient to those practitioners who have hitherto retained the latter. < Those articles which are of the first importance, and which ought always to be kept it?~ a chemist's shop, are marked by an asterisk. 1